Automatic train-pipe connector.



J. V. ROBINSON. 'AUTOMATICIRAIN PIPE C0\\iNEC'|'0R.v APPLICATION HLEDcm. 28, 1911. RENEWED MAR. 21.1917. I

1,245,775. v v Patented Nov. 6, 1917.

'2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

J. V. ROBINSON.

AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE CONNECTOR. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 28; 19M. RENEWEDMAR. 21.19171 1 45,775. Patented Nov. 6, 1917. '2' I ZSTTEETS-SHEET 2. gf I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH V. ROBINSON, F BRANFOBD, CONIhIECTICUT.

" AUTOMATIC TRAIN-FEE CONNECTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 6, 191 '7.

Application filed October 28, 1911, Serial No. 657,250. Renewed March21, 1917. Serial No. 156,458.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH V. ROBINSON, a citizen of the United States,and resident of Branford, in the county of New Haven and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inAutomatic Train-Pipe Connectors, of which the following is aspecification. 1

My invention relates to automatic train pipe connectors and has for itsobject to provide an improved means for renewing defective gasketsbetween the faces of coupled connector heads by shifting such heads fromcoupled engagement without first uncoupling the'cars.

The invention consists in the combinations, constructions andimprovements hereinafter described, pointed out in the appended claimsand illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which similar referencesymbols indicate corresponding parts in the several views:

Figure 1, is a vertical axial section with parts in section,illustrating one embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2, is a central longitudinal section of the bracket and connectorsupport shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3, is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 2 with the rack and pinionof the ac-' tuating mechanism position therein.

Fig. 4, is a perspective view of the actuating mechanism shown in Fig.3, and

Fig. 5, is a side elevation of the rack shown in Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings: 1 indicates inserted in operative a supportadjustably mounted, as by bolts cured in position by 3. lug 9 engagingan undercut portion ofsaid seat, and by a pin extending throughregistering holes 10 in said rack and bracket.

The support 1 is provided with bearings 11 for removably supporting apinion 12 in mesh with the rack 8; said pinion being provided with areduced journal 13, and a large journal 14, forvpermitting readyinsertion and removal of said pinion from the bearings 11. The largejournal 14 preferably constitutes the socket of an operating crank 15,which isrigidly secured, as by a pin 16, to a lug 17 on the pinion.

From the above description, it will be clear that by placing theactuating mechanism 8' and 12 in position, and loosening the clampingbolts 2, the support 1 can be shifted by said mechanism to retract theconnector from operative engagement with the connector of the adjacentcar in a' train, and to return the connector to such engagement andcompress the connector spring 18 sufficiently to provide the requiredconnecting tension on said connector ;-thereby permitting convenientinspection and repair of with a head, the combination of a bracket,

a support for said head adjustably mounted on said bracket, andactuating mechanism, and means for removably supporting said mechanismin position for adjusting said support on said bracket. 2. In a trainpipe connector provided with a head, the-combination of a bracket, asupport for said head adjustably mounted on said bracket, hearings onsaid bracket and support, and actuating mechanism adapted to beremovably seated in saidarings for adjusting said support on saidbracket.

3. In a train pipe connector provided with a head, the combination of abracket, asupport for said head adjustably mounted on said bracket,bearings on said bracket and support, and a rack and pinion adapted tobe removably supported in said bearings for adjusting said support onsaid bracket.

4. The combination with a'plurality of train pipe connectors comprisingrelatively g al ae/5,775

adjustable brackets and supports, and eon- In testimony whereof I afixmy signature nector heads carried thereby, of a common in presence oftwo Witnesses. actuating mechanism, and means for remov- O E V ROBINSONably supporting said mechanism in position 5 for relatively adjustingsaid brackets and Witnesses:

' supports of the several train pipe connec- G. AYREs,

tors C. A. BAKER,

